Interim business manager outlines budget reporting changes as Middletown faces enrollment decline and $660,000 shortfall

Interim Business Manager Brian Hyde described plans to streamline budget reporting and improve transparency as the district faces a drop in enrollment and an anticipated revenue shortfall.

Mr. Hyde told the school committee the business office is developing concise monthly and year-to-date summary reports for the committee and principals so stakeholders can quickly see budget-to-actual figures for instruction, benefits, personnel, debt and administration. Hyde said the office is creating processes and protocols to bring stability and consistent reporting to the finance function.

Superintendent Billy Niemeyer told the committee the district’s enrollment is holding at 1,862 students, 92 fewer than at the same time last year, and that the district is starting budget work with an anticipated $660,000 shortfall from last year’s revenue. Niemeyer said the district will prioritize social-emotional supports, multilingual learner services and closing achievement gaps.

The district also announced an upcoming revenue conference change and that the business office and technology department will move the Infinite Visions financial system to a cloud-based environment to improve security and collaboration with the town. The committee was told the cloud migration and revised budget workbooks for principals will make the budget process easier to manage and more transparent.

Facilities and staffing updates included a notice that Edward Collins will begin as shared facilities director on February 3, and that the district recently hired coaches, tech coaches and a school psychologist for the elementary school.